Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel is a delightful way to elevate your breakfast or brunch gatherings. This luscious dish features chunks of bread soaked in a creamy custard, baked to golden perfection and topped with an irresistible cinnamon streusel. It has the perfect balance of crunch and softness, making every bite a celebration of flavors and textures. With just a little prep the night before, this casserole transforms into a morning masterpiece.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel

Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel

When I first tried this recipe, it instantly became a favorite in our household. Picture waking up to the warm aroma of cinnamon wafting through the air. It’s a comforting scene that invites family and friends to gather around the table with eager appetites. There’s something inherently satisfying about knowing you’ve prepared a dish that welcomes everyone with open arms. This Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel not only brings joy but also simplifies hectic mornings. I can’t wait for you to experience it!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With just 20 minutes of prep, it’s perfect for busy mornings or brunches.
Irresistible Flavor: Creamy, buttery bread combines wonderfully with rich, cinnamon-spiced flavors.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The streusel topping gives it a gorgeous finish, perfect for impressing guests.
Flexible Serving: Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or even a sweet snack during the week.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adaptable for dairy-free or gluten-free diets with simple substitutions.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 pound loaf of sourdough or French bread: This is the backbone of the casserole, providing a sturdy base. Sourdough gives a slight tang, while French bread is lighter and fluffier. Feel free to use stale bread for better texture.
8 large eggs: These create the custard base that binds the bread together. Always use fresh eggs for the best flavor.
2 cups (480ml) milk (whole or 2%): Whole milk adds richness, while 2% is slightly lighter. Either will work.
½ cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream: This further enriches the custard, giving it a delightful creaminess.
½ cup (104g) granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the custard. You can reduce or substitute with a sugar alternative if needed.
¼ cup (36g) packed light brown sugar: This deepens the flavor with its molasses undertones. Dark brown sugar can be used for a stronger taste.
2 tablespoons vanilla extract: This enhances the overall flavor profile, making it sweet and aromatic.
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon: A key ingredient that ties the dish together with warm spice notes.
¾ cup (98g) all-purpose flour: Used for the streusel topping, which provides a lovely texture contrast.
¾ cup (169g) packed light brown sugar: Adds a sweet, crumbly layer on top. Packed ensures you have enough sweetness.
2 teaspoons cinnamon: Verifies that the streusel has a delightful spiced flavor that complements the casserole.
¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
½ cup (112g) butter (cut into pieces): This adds richness and helps create a flavorful crumble topping.

How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel

Grease the dish: Start by greasing a 9 x 13 casserole dish generously to ensure that nothing sticks while baking.

Prepare the bread: Cut the loaf of sourdough or French bread into 1-inch chunks. Spread the pieces evenly in the bottom of your greased casserole dish, ensuring they cover the base well.

Whisk the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together 8 large eggs, 2 cups of milk, ½ cup heavy whipping cream, ½ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons vanilla extract, and 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon until fully combined. This mix will soak into the bread, creating that luscious custard quality.

Pour the custard: Carefully pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread chunks, using a spatula to ensure every piece is coated. Press down gently to allow the bread to absorb the mixture.

Cover and chill: Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. This soaking process is crucial for flavor and texture.

Make the streusel topping: To create the crunchy streusel, combine ¾ cup all-purpose flour, ¾ cup packed light brown sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a bowl. Add ½ cup cut pieces of butter, then use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. You can prepare this ahead and store it in the fridge as well.

Preheat the oven: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC).

Add the streusel: Remove the casserole from the fridge and crumble the streusel topping evenly over the top, ensuring maximum coverage for a crunchy texture.

Bake: Bake in your preheated oven for 45 minutes to an hour. If you prefer a softer texture, aim for around 45 minutes; longer baking will yield a firmer casserole, so keep an eye on it. It’s done when the edges are bubbling and golden.

Serve warm: Once baked, serve your Overnight French Toast Casserole with fresh syrup and toppings like powdered sugar or berries for that added touch.

Storing & Reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. For maximum freshness, reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds, or until warm. If you’d like to enjoy the casserole later, it can be frozen for up to three months. Simply cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Keep in mind that the texture may change slightly after freezing, but a quick bake in the oven can refresh the flavors beautifully.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Make sure your eggs and milk are at room temperature; this helps them mix more evenly and creates a smoother custard.
Don’t skip the fridge sitting time—it’s key to allowing the bread to thoroughly absorb the custard mixture for the best flavor and texture.
Keep an eye on the baking time; since oven temperatures can vary, checking occasionally is important to avoid over-baking.
Feel free to add a personal touch! Nuts, dried fruit, or even chocolate chips can add great flavors and textures.
If you’re looking for a lighter version, use low-fat milk and reduce the quantity of sugar.

The balance of creamy custard, crunchy topping, and aromatic cinnamon creates a beautiful blend in this Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel. Not only is it a time-saver, but it also invites collaboration around the breakfast table. I encourage you to get creative with it—whether it’s adding your favorite fruits or experimenting with sweeteners.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use different types of bread?

Absolutely! While sourdough and French bread work wonderfully, feel free to substitute with brioche, challah, or even whole wheat bread. Each type will bring a unique flavor and texture to the dish.

How can I make this recipe dairy-free?

For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk and heavy cream with almond milk or oat milk, and use coconut oil or a dairy-free butter alternative in the streusel topping. It will still be delicious!

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, it’s designed for that. Prepare the casserole the night before and let it sit in the fridge overnight. Just make the streusel topping ahead of time as well for a quick finish the next morning.

What toppings can I serve with this casserole?

There are so many delicious toppings to pair with your casserole! Consider serving it with maple syrup, whipped cream, fresh berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar. Candied pecans or a dollop of yogurt can also add a nice touch.

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Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel

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Author: Peter
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 10 servings 1x
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

This Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel is a mouthwatering combination of rich flavors and simple prep. Using sourdough bread, eggs, and creamy toppings, it serves as a delightful breakfast or brunch option that will please any group.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound loaf of sourdough or french bread
8 large eggs
2 cups (480ml) milk (whole or 2%)
½ cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
½ cup (104g) granulated sugar
¼ cup (36g) packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
¾ cup (98g) all-purpose flour
¾ cup (169g) packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup (112g) butter (cut into pieces)

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Instructions

Grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish and set aside.
Cut the bread into 1-inch chunks and spread them evenly in the bottom of the casserole dish.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, both sugars, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread, ensuring all pieces are coated.
Cover the casserole and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
To prepare the streusel topping, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add butter and cut into the dry mixture until it forms a crumble. Refrigerate overnight if desired.
Preheat the oven to 350ºF when ready to bake.
Crumble the streusel topping evenly over the casserole, covering as much as possible.
Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, adjusting the time for desired texture. Serve warm with syrup and toppings.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use thick slices of bread and allow the casserole to sit overnight for full absorption of flavors.
Experiment with different fruits as toppings for added freshness.